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Chronic shoulder problems have ended the college football career of Virginia fifth-year senior tight end and co-captain Joe Torchia. Torchia, who had a shoulder injury that caused him to miss five games in 2008, was not in uniform Saturday when the Cavaliers lost 33-21 at Georgia Tech.
"He was always kind of dealing with a shoulder situation," UVa coach Mike London said Sunday. "In our last game [before Saturday], he got it dinged again. In talking to our doctors, it's probably going to be it for Joe. "We're going to lose Joe for the rest of the year." London said Torchia is scheduled for surgery with Dr. James Andrews of Birmingham, Ala. Torchia, a 6-foot-6, 250-pounder from Cold Spring, N.,Y., started 16 games in his UVa career and had 24 career receptions, including nine in Virginia's first five games this season. Redshirt sophomore Colter Phillips started Saturday and another sophomore tight end, Paul Freedman, had his first two collegiate receptions. London said it will be a priority to find a third tight end but vowed not to play true freshman Zach Swanson or true freshman Jake McGee at the cost of a year's eligibility. Redshirt freshmen Luke Bowanko and Jeremiah Mathis both got a look in practice last week. Bowanko is a 6-6, 285-pound offensive guard who could become a tight end in obvious blocking situations. Mathis (6-3, 255) is more athletic and played tight end in high school.
